As a staff member here at ActiveRain, I probably read anywhere from 100-200 posts a day. Well, not really read the entire post, but I look through at least that many daily. One of the things that baffles me daily are the titles of posts. Have you ever seen some posts with titles like these?
- Just Listed 3BR/3BA home for $199,900
- Hurry, 8,000 Tax Credit Expires soon!
- Home Sales Increasing, Buy Today!
- Now is a Great Time to Buy!
- Great Custom All Brick Home
I could continue on but I think by now you get the idea. If you notice, all of these types of titles are nothing more than a cheesy tag line used in advertising. Unfortunately, your blog is not meant to be used as an advertisement. T
he point to writing your blogs is to share with consumers information that they want to know.
I have covered this topic in my webinars the past few weeks for our new members that have not yet become a Rainmaker. Many people over look the importance behind the title of your post and do not place a lot of thought on it. The title is one of the most powerful parts of your blog posts for search engine optimization or SEO. If you are using generic sales ad statements in your title then you are missing the ability to use your keywords & help your post to rank well in the search engines. Also, I am not exactly sure how many people search for things in Google by phrases like: Just listed 3BR/2BA home on Cul-de-sac, Now is a great time to buy. Why? Well see what happens when you type in Now is a great time to buy. When I just did that, the results brought back 307 million results. Or, if you search for the term Just listed 3BR/2BA $199,000. This brings back homes for sale in California, Philadelphia, and who knows where else.
So, instead of these very general sales ad titles, how should you be titling your posts? Well, it is actually rather simple. You want to be more specific on the title of your post. Also, be sure to include your longtail keywords. For example, if I was going to write about a new listing, the title should be something more along these lines:
Home for Sale in The Farm at Carolina Forest in Myrtle Beach, SC~ 123 ABC St. Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
The example above is targeted on my Keywords. My keyword is the community, The Farm at Carolina Fores in Myrtle Beach, SC. Also, by including the address in the title, it allows consumers who drive by the property and write down the address of the property to find my blog post. If neither of those pieces of information is included it makes it very difficult for consumers to find the blog post.
In the example Home Sales Increasing, Buy Today, the title should be changed to something resembling this:
Sold Homes in The Gates Austin, TX increases by 12%. An Austin Texas Real Estate Market Report
This title once again Targets on the longtail keyword which is Sold Homes in The Gates Austin, TX. Also, we have used other keywords that someone might use when doing a real estate search by saying Austin Texas Real Estate Market Report.
These are just two basic examples of how to attract more readers to your posts just by making some simple changes to the title of your posts. Use this tip and watch how your posts will begin to receive more traffic and better results in the search Engines.
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I am the Co-Founder of 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors. I have traveled the country as a social media speaker. If you would like more information on any of the topics discussed in this blog, please contact me directly. We specialize in social media training, online consulting, and the creation of your own custom WordPress site.
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ah ha! See I learn something new everyday in the rain. I thought short and sweet would be more readily clicked, instead I'm selling my SEO short. Thanks for the heads-up!
Thanks, as always, for your tips, Jeremy. They help us grow.
Good reminder on the significance of properly chosen long-tail keywords. Real estate agents also need to understand the distinction betweet print and online marketing - it's completely different.
Your tips are a great reminder to keep it local!
Jeremy - Thank you for giving examples on "how to" title our blog posts.
Great tips on how to title your posts. I try to think of how folks would be searching. Thanks
I skip the posts titled, "Just listed 3BR/2BA..." but didn't think to write a post about it. You hit the nail on the head here. Thanks for clarifying!
Good info and insight - thanks for sharing...
Jer...
The power of the post indeeds lies in the title. A good title is SEO magic!
Jeremy, I always learn something when I read your posts. Thanks for the tips.
I came up with a title on vacation, but I can't write the post that fits it... A Butt-Plug in the Innertube of Life... Ask me about it and I'll tell you where it came from...
Jeremy - Right you are. Good points here about SEO, my friend. Incidentally, I have a feeling Lane's post would be hilarious.
People search shorts and REO so if I have one that is not then I put "NOT A SHORT SALE OR REO". HA! I get the best of all worlds :)
Featured @ Club Chaos
Hi Jeremy... be sure to watch for my next post titled "Cream Puff... Drives like a Dream!" :)
This is one of the things that I have been doing my best to do lately. I really do try to write a portion of my blog specifically for search engines, while at the same time keeping the content local and relevant.
Ha! I'm so glad someone had the courage to call out those cheesy blog post titles! You called it like it is and then, because you're a gentleman and a scholar, you turned it into a really informative post. Thanks, Jeremy.
Tanya in Montreal
Jeremy, I have been trying to get this right but I know there are times when I miss it. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. We all want our posts to be picked up well by the search engines, otherwise why post them. Thanks!
Jeremy,
Thanks for the help in choosing a good title. I am still learning and this will help me a lot.
Jeremy, Always worth the read but I just never catch it and sometimes my brain is not engaged. But I always learn something when I read your posts and I thank you for all you do and the tips you share.
Jeremy - glad that I caught this post, thanks, I will be considering this when I write my titles.
There was a guy who commented on one of my posts who worked it ALL into his titles, Beds, baths, Price Reduced, a call to action... as well as the address and the neighborhood.... of course that was pretty much the whole content of his post too.
His just listed headline was "Just listed, beds, baths, price, address, neighborhood, call to action"
He did not always have neighborhood in it and when he did it was too late in the headline to help.
He lives in a major metro area and searching the address of his listings, Zillow etc. outranked him. Personally I hate the long, long titles many use to begin with....
Great information. I think I have more trouble picking out my titles than writing the posts.
Lots of people still have trouble with online marketing. We are writing so that the consumer finds us AND to make them stay once they get here. Challenging, but something to aim for!
Jeremy,
Your post raises some concerns with my titles. I thought I was doing it correctly, however I'm not ranking as well as I'd like. I's like to email you a sample to rule out/in my title.
Your posts are always such a huge help THANKS!
You do make a good point. The way we present here to our peers should be tailored a little differently .
Jeremy, you never cease to amaze me with all of the wisdom that you share! Bet we'll see almost all the titles changing soon on AR! :)
This is very informative! thanks! I got lots of great tips!
Jeremy- I feel that I need the webinar for remedial Rainmakers (Drizzlers?). When will that be offered?
Wow wake up and kick the used car salespeople Realtors.....just kidding....I appreciate the tips.
Drizzlers! Ha ha Texas Realty.
I know that titles are really important, and I try to make mine specific, but I worry about using too many words. You're saying more is better? There must be some point where they get too spammy sounding too. I guess it's finding he right balance, eh?
Titles definitely cannot be taken for granted!
Yes titles are very important... If i don't get the google results I want, its probably because my title is bad...
Thanks for the information. Always great to refine how I blog in order to get better search results.
Jeremy, thanks for this post. TItles can make a difference.
Great reminder to focus! I love the Google juice, it is breathtaking!
Jeremy, I try to use the title as an integral part of the blogpost. And something interesting to catch an eye or two also.
Hi Jeremy, stopped by to say hi. Wondering if you will be in Raleigh-Durham Friday...
P.S. This blog was great and 'right on.' Like on Twitter... Hi I'm Fonda and I'm the best realtor in Who Cares and I love selling real estate in Who Cares. Bleh.
Great tips!!! as always learn something unique about blogging from your post.